Lena boys basketball preview

Team: Lena Wildcats

Conference: Marinette & Oconto

2021-22 conference/overall results: 10-6 in M&O; 14-11 overall.

2021-22 tournament results: Lost to Florence in regional semifinal.

Returning starters/varsity players (positions): Seniors: Reed Hosking (guard), Bryce Kittredge (guard), Sidney Sylvester (forward). Juniors: Logan Graef (forward), Anthony Seefeldt (center). Sophomores: Tyler Shallow (guard).

New athletes who could make impact this season: Wyatt Dean (forward/center). Juniors: Evan VanderZanden (guard). Sophomores: Mason Spice (guard), Caleb Schlosser (forward).

Returning all-conference players: None.

Coach’s comment on the upcoming season: “After graduating on of the better seniors classes in recent history a season ago, we need to find a new identity,” said Fritz Weidner. “We no longer have Max Beyer to count on to score 20-plus points a game or Logan Shallow or Bladyn Anderson to play high quality defense. We have a very nice group of seniors again this season who are entering their fourth year in the program so we will look to them for leadership and to help create a new identity.

“We should be competitive in most games this year. We have more height than we’ve ever had with the addition of Wyatt Dean (6-5) and returning Sidney Sylvester (6-4) and Anthony Seefeldt (6-2). We may not have to rely as much on a perimeter game as we have in the past. Kittredge, Hosking, Shallow and Graef will all see significant minutes. Our season success will be determined by how quickly the young players adapt to the varsity game to help with depth.”